Luminescence – a winter light trail at Swinton Park

I was lucky enough to be invited to a soft launch of the new winter light trail on the Swinton Park Estate.

This mile long illuminated Winter trail within the hotel grounds opens to the general public on 6^th November and runs through until 22^nd February 2026.

The light trail is the brain child of Felicity Cunliffe Lister, the Countess of Swinton and wife of the 4^th Earl of Swinton. It is very much NOT a Christmas trail, although there are festive elements with The Deer Sanctuary looking like reindeer and a Christmas tree near the entrance.

But Felicity's plan was always to take the area of woodland around the lake and transform it into a magical illuminated landscape to stimulate visitors senses. The Winter light trail has the theme of “the magic of the natural world” running through it - using the beauty of the natural landscape with an extensive light installation to showcase the best of Mother Nature.

Here are some pictures which hopefully will inspire you to go and take a look around…

After arriving at Swinton Park, I felt like was just about to star in an episode of The Traitors as I headed up the drive past the historic hotel with its ivy covered turret.

I parked up and after a drink and welcome from Felicity, we headed out round The Terrace and through the shop to the start of the trail.

We entered through a gate with dry ice drifting past with and walked past an illuminated Christmas tree.

From here we walked along a tree lined track signed Party Parade, with disco balls and fluorescent lights and three big red buttons which played a selection of disco songs including Abba!

We continued on arriving at the Deer Sanctuary, with a herd of illuminated deer positioned around the woodland glade.

Then we ended up at The Grotto, here I was given a marvellous hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles. I don’t think I had had one of these for a decade since my kids were young, but it went down very well.

As well as hot chocolate, the Grotto sells mulled wine, sparklers and marshmallows. There was a fire pit area by the edge of the lake with rugs and throws on seats around. Whilst I enjoyed my hot chocolate, a few of the guests were toasting their marshmallows.

I continued my walk and walked past an area with fluorescent jellyfish and psychedelic fish hanging from the tree branches.

One of the other areas was called The Galaxy – a light display with planets hanging from the trees.

As I continued around the lake you could see the light shows we had passed earlier reflected in the water.

I could also see the firepit area where I had sat earlier.

We next came across and area entitled Nature’s Table with ivy covered lampshades hanging nearby. A large table with stunning candelabra sitting over it and a table with woodland nuts and cones.

From here I passed through an area entitled Living Earth with lit up trees and lights in natural patterns running along the ground.

I finally walked back to the hotel for a glass of wine before heading off home.

It really was a magical experience. Tastefully done and with a lot of thought and attention. The children who were there were enjoying themselves, particularly the sparklers and hot chocolate.

The only thing I would say is that the leaflet about the trail talks about an hour and a half to two hours to walk the trail. Even stopping for a drink, I finished the walk with another couple in just over an hour even stopping to take plenty of photos. But it is still a real sensory overload and a lot of fun.

Tickets can be purchased on this link: https://www.swintonestate.com/events/luminescence-a-winter-light-trail/